The holiday entertainment season in 2025 kicks off with the release of several animated seasonal specials, marking a shift in how viewers are consuming holiday content. On November 28, 2025, streaming platforms such as Hulu, CBS, and Paramount+ feature exciting new episodes of popular animated series, offering fans a festive way to celebrate the season. Among the highlights is a brand-new Family Guy holiday special on Hulu, alongside a holiday-themed installment of PAW Patrol airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
These releases align with the broader strategies of streaming platforms, which have increasingly capitalized on the holiday season as an opportunity to engage viewers looking for cozy, accessible entertainment. As families and individuals settle into the holiday spirit, streaming services are offering bite-sized, episodic specials that fit perfectly into the festive atmosphere. These shorter, standalone episodes are designed to be easily consumed without requiring long-term commitment, making them ideal for holiday viewing.
The rise of these shorter, episodic specials also reflects the changing nature of content consumption in the streaming era. With viewers seeking more flexibility and convenience in their media choices, streaming platforms have responded by offering more digestible entertainment options. Whether it’s a beloved animated series like Family Guy or the kid-friendly PAW Patrol, these holiday specials are tailored to provide a quick dose of seasonal cheer without the need for a multi-episode binge or a lengthy movie.
This shift also highlights how holiday viewing patterns are evolving. Rather than waiting for a major annual event, audiences now have year-round access to holiday-themed content, allowing them to revisit their favorite animated classics at their own pace. With the ability to stream these episodes on demand, families can gather around the TV at any time during the season to enjoy a holiday-themed escape.
For fans of these long-running animated shows, the new holiday episodes offer a familiar and fun way to celebrate the season. For streaming platforms, it’s a way to cater to the festive mood of viewers, while also capitalizing on the increased demand for content during the holidays. As streaming services continue to evolve, this trend of releasing shorter, episodic specials is likely to become a staple of future holiday entertainment lineups, ensuring that viewers always have something festive and fun to look forward to during the holiday season.